Image by Thos003 via Flickr

Scientists have a word for it and it’s called symbiosis which comes from the Greek and means “living together.” This living together can be two unlike creatures who form a partnership that helps both survive. One of the strangest–almost a Believe It Or Not–is the relationship between a bird called the honey guide ( looks like a woodpecker ) and the honey badger or ratel. They live in Africa and form a unique friendship. The favorite food of the honey guide is insect larvae but, best of all, the waxy honeycomb of the bee. But it’s not able to open the honeycomb. It needs help and here is where the weasel-like ratel comes in. Although it feeds on snakes, frogs, and rats, the ratel’s favorite delicacy is honey. The ratel has thick fur and tough skin which helps it survive any bee sting. It has long, strong claws which are perfect for opening a honeycomb. But it is slow and not a good hunter when it comes to finding a honeycomb. Here is where the honey guide comes in. The bird finds a bees’ nest and quickly flies off to find a ratel. It flies around the head of the honey badger, attracting its attention. It chirps loudly and the ratel finally gets the idea–a honeycomb has been located. Once the ratel has followed the bird to the honeycomb, it rips it open and the bird feeds on the waxy honeycomb. The ratel feasts on honey. What a marvelous story about cooperation and getting along. Is there a lesson for us all in becoming partners despite the fact we may have different skin colors and religions? How complicated we humans are in our relationships with each other. Does it have to be that way?